"I think there had been problems from the very beginning," said Wright's attorney, Kerry Cuccia. "As you know, even before the arraignment, we asked the judge to take this step because we saw the need to do so."

Wright is charged with first-degree murder of Jori Lirette. The boy was killed Aug. 14 in their home while Jori's mother, 27-year-old Jesslyn Lirette, was out.

Police said Wright waived his right to an attorney and confessed the same day.

At some points during the proceedings on Tuesday, Wright appeared to have a slight grin on his face, according to WDSU reports, while other members of Lirette's family cried silently at the realization that justice in this case appears to be delayed.

Wright has been remanded to a mental facility in Jackson, La.

"The hospital will diligently work to restore Mr. Wright's competency, and they will report as they do so," Cuccia said. "Sometimes it takes longer than others, and some people it takes less time."

While the goal of the treatment is to improve Wright's mental competence, there are those who question how someone could be capable of such a crime.

The judge has put the mental evaluation records under seal and wants to be updated on Wright's status every 30 days.

Judge John Leblanc set a status hearing on Wright's condition for Jan. 31.